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20 April, 2009
Nanotechnology refers to a range of technologies that depend on the properties of extremely small particles. In fact, nanotechnologies manipulate matter at the atomic and molecular level.
By precisely controlling chemistry and structure at that scale, it is possible to develop new materials, drugs, medicines, cosmetics, chemical catalysts, and processes, energy technologies, electronics, or micro-devices of unprecedented power and efficiency.
On the other hand, the very reason that scientists, engineers, and businessmen find nanomaterials interesting - that particle size and structure can radically affect the properties and behaviour of a substance – lead to areas of concern. Because of their respirable size, respiratory diseases and cancers are an obvious, but far from the only, potential area of concern.
Little is known about how nanomaterials will behave in, or on, the human body. Even less is known about how they will behave once released into the environment. Their human or environmental toxicity cannot be fully predicted from knowledge of their chemical composition. We do not even know whether commonly available protective - clothing, gloves, or respirators - are effective protection against nanoparticles.
It is a historical fact that with the introduction of any new technology, there has been a tendency for the potential benefits to be exaggerated and the possible harm to be dismissed.
In 2004, Britain's Royal Society (the oldest scientific society in the world) recommended that nanoparticles be treated as new chemicals; that there be a full safety assessment of all products that contain nanoparticles prior to market release; that factories and research laboratories treat nanoparticles as if they were hazardous; and that there be mandatory labeling of nano-ingredients.
In some cases, existing regulations to control new chemicals and chemical technologies can be adapted by adding criteria such as particle size and structure, and anticipated properties - and removing criteria such as total amount in use. New toxicological and environmental testing should be part of the regulatory package for nanotechnologies, and the precautionary principle should apply.
To date, few of these recommendations have been implemented anywhere in the world. Nanotechnology remains a largely unregulated field.